On Friday 7 and Saturday 8 of November this year, Brisbane’s 15th annual 2high Festival will showcase the work of some of Queensland’s most talented emerging artists and performers.

This year, a number of 2high’s contributing artists have set-out to tackle some of the more challenging social justice issues facing Australia and the world today. Kimberley Lysons’ interactive artwork, Bring it to the Table, confronts the topical issue of youth homelessness, at the same time acknowledging the ongoing efforts of The Big Issue to address this problem. Jonathan Cajepe and artistic duo Dislore also explore issues of personal adversity, the power of change and the need for social and cultural progress.

The 2high Festival 2008 is set to include a packed schedule of live performances, exhibitions, workshops and generous amounts of fun times!

2high Festival
The Brisbane Powerhouse
Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November, 5pm till late
Cost of admission – FREE

The search is on for NSW’s best talent!

Speak, scream, howl, whisper or sing your original poem at the Australian Poetry Slam — NSW heats — in an electric live event where the audience is the judge! All contestants are given a mic, a live audience and just two minutes to impress the judges (selected at random at each heat) with their spoken word, poetry, hip hop, monologues and stories.

Heat winners will compete in the State Final at the State Library of NSW on the 21st November 2008. NSW’s top two slam poets will battle against state and territory winners for the coveted Australian Poetry Slam 08 title and $5,000 cash.

There are 4 heats to go in NSW before the NSW State Final on the 21st November 2008. For more information on the heats and the rules, please go to www.sl.nsw.gov.au/poetryslam. The National Grand Final will be held at the Sydney Opera House on the 4th December 2008.

Lang Leav from Akina spent eight weeks investigating the underground fashion subcultures in Japan as part of her Churchill Fellowship award. Cosplaying Lolita (www.akina.com.au) is the result of her findings and explores themes of romance, deception and make-believe surrounding the two spectacular fashion styles.

Two Flat Whites due to popular demand is proud to launch a new feature. Each & every week, we will gaze into our crystal ball & provide you, our readers, with ‘What’s On’ in your area. Whether you’re from the city,the burbs, interstate or rural Australia we have something for you!

We will post links to events ranging from The Arts, Food, Fashion, Writing, Music & Film. So if you would like to promote an upcoming event, let us know, email us & we’ll help you get the word around town. ben {at} twoflatwhites(.)com

The Arts

‘Hardcore Exhibition’ at the Hardware Gallery

‘Art By Design at Kinokuniya Art Gallery

Food

The Entertainment Quarter restaurants

Music

Virtual 3D online music festival on the internet

The Vanguard

Writing

State Library of NSW

Interstate

‘Against the Grain Exhibition’ by Reka  One in Perth

Spring Fling 08 Street Festival in Melbourne

Brisbane Jazz Festival 2008

Rural Australia

The Woden Valley Community Festival

The Australian International Design Awards, a division of Standards Australia, is recognised by the Commonwealth Government and the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design as Australia’s peak design assessment and promotion body, and for its important role in fostering a culture of design and innovation in Australia.

In keeping with Standards Australia’s peak status as the national standards body, the Australian International Design Awards sets an international benchmark of design excellence and quality in manufactured goods. The Australian International Design Awards operates across a broad range of product development sectors including Consumer, Business and Technology, Medical and Scientific, Automotive and Transport, Sport and Leisure, Housing and Building, Heavy Machinery, Architecture and Interior, and Design Education.

Surfer Jesse (Lachlan Buchanan) lives in the shadow of his bitter half brother Victor (Reshad Strik) an ex-surf champion and the local bad boy. With the local surf pro fast approaching, Jesse and his mates plan a trip away with some local girls for a weekend of surfing and partying in the dunes. When Victor and his gang arrive at the isolated beach and decide to claim the surf break, an unofficial surf contest ensues and tragedy unfolds.

Two Flat Whites in conjunction with Newcastle, the Australian surf film is giving away 10 double passes to see the movie. So if you would like to win the tickets, simply email us at info {at} twoflatwhites(.)com

Good luck! Competition closes Tuesday, 28th October 2008.

Newcastle – only at the movies 6th November 2008.

www.newcastlemovie.com

Nawlz is an online interactive comic book and can be viewed at http://www.nawlz.com. It combines the use of text, illustration, music, animation and interactivity to tell the story. The story is set in the futuristic City of Nawlz. It follows the main character Harley Chambers as he kicks thru the streets engaging in overlaying virtual realities and other strange techno-cultures.

Throughout the story it is advertised that the Mad-Bionix (a popular band) are bringing a massive concert to Nawlz and to promote the concert they have been dropping sneak preview clips around the streets. Everyday for a month a new clip is released and Harley has been frantically running about collecting them. Harley believes he has witnessed some strange phenomenon in relation to the clips and he feels strongly that whatever the hell is going on will be revealed at the concert.

Nawlz has been created by Australian visual-artist Sutu in collaboration with various Australian musicians including Speakerwrath, Intamok and Joel Edmondson. This is some of the most creative works we have seen for some time and we at Two Flat Whites give high praise to this wonderful creation. Issue 9 “Skyman’s Hand” is now online here.

The cast of William McInnes (John) & Monic Hendrickx (Tahmeena) really make this a little Aussie gem. The performance of William McInnes shines like a radiant sunrise on a spring day. You may have seen McInnes on the screen in SeaChange, Blue Heelers & My Brother Jack (2001), just to name a few. He has picked up numerous Logies & AFI Awards along the way.

Two Flat Whites have always enjoyed seeing McInnes on the television or the movie screens & this film has reconfirmed for us that he is one of the most talented Australian actors on the scene today. The leading lady Monic Hendrickx is a beautiful woman & her character draws you to her life & the flick.

SPOILER ALERT WARNING

The story begins with John, a farmer living in a remote part of the country in central Queensland. His wife passed away six years ago. John is still taking it hard & resorts to drinking for comfort, while he blames himself for her death. Then dramatically, Tahmeena enters the movie. Bruised & battered, she runs towards John’s farm. He takes her in & they develop quite a bond.

Tahmeena is an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan. Choosing Australia in pursuit of her little girl, who was taken from her in her homeland. John teaches her English, & Tahmeena teaches John how to love again. Tahmeena was rapped & pillaged by the guy that owns the local pub with his son. She consistently has flashbacks & remains scared throughout the movie.

The film reaches its climax when the local pub owner & his son look to John’s farm with guns to hunt out Tahmeena. The twist to the story is when the audience discovers that the country town cop (David Field) is also seeking Tahmeena, to cover his wrong doings. The support cast led by David Field is fantastic & supports the lead actors with gusto.

Unfinished Sky (2007) is a wonderfully directed (Peter Duncan) film; it tackles issues in society such as loneliness, excessive drinking, refugees, crime & love. The ending is not predictable & finishes on a realistic note. The acting is what makes this Australian movie stand out from so many others.

Article written by Liam Gibbs.

Lip magazine puts life in perspective.

lip magazine is an independent, advertisement-free publication for young women aged 14-26.  lip provides intelligent, thoughtful and empowering articles and fiction on topics that are relevant for women today. lip is not about celebrities and how to be the next “It girl”- lip is written for and by real girls who care about more than just fashion, makeup and sex. The magazine encourages girls to send in written and artistic submissions, aiming to not only give young people a chance to be published, but to produce a magazine that shares the personal experiences and opinions of its readers.

Do you really need another magazine telling you how to feel good about yourself and on the next page featuring yet another glamorous but seriously underfed model in order to sell you the latest celebrity fad diet book and handbags one can only ever dream of affording?

Life is complicated enough without being spoonfed unrealistic and unattainable ideals of the “right body”, the “right bling” and the “right way to give a blowjob”. Lip is for girls who think, feel, create, speak out and live. Girls who aren’t afraid to be themselves.

What do you have to lose? Check it out……

A friend & I decided to head into Newtown to grab a bite to eat on Sunday. We worked up quite an apatite walking & shopping along the famous King Street strip. We strolled into this trendy little café, the ‘Grub & Tucker’.

The name caught my eye. It is amazing just how many creative shop names belong in Newtown. Next time you are in Newtown, have a look as it is quite unbelievable. The look & feel of this little café was the clincher. The ‘Grub & Tucker’ is filled with art & drawings on the walls, nick naks all around & this along with its relaxed & comfortable feel makes for a good first impression.

The menu is large, with variety for everyone. You have your all day big breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns, tea & freshly squeezed orange juice. There is a fantastic array of salads, including a salt & pepper squid salad & a barramundi fillet Caesar Salad. There are focaccias & an endless selection of main meals. The lamb cutlets with baked potatoes were simply divine. For all you sweet toothes out there, the desserts looked scrumptious.

The ‘Grub & Tucker’ is a wonderful place to dine for a quick snack, a great meal or a catch up over coffee. The friendly & relaxed waiters made the experience even more enjoyable. The courtyard out the back with its lounges was cosy. When heading to the ‘Grub & Tucker’ in Newtown, say hello to Antonio & tell them that Two Flat Whites sent you.

Article written for Two Flat Whites by Robbie Lawrence

Grub & Tucker Café
191 King Street
Newtown NSW
Ph: 02 9516 4970